The simplest way to make sure that a double rifle is regulated is to buy a new one. Merkel and Chapuis send you a target showing the regulation and the factory load that was used. Butch Searcy will build and regulate a rifle to the load you choose, be it factory, or a reload. BTW, the last Searcy I shot didn't care much what you put in it. It shot Barnes X's at 1800 fps into the same place as cast lead bullets at 1400 fps or Federal's at 2150 fps. But don't expect every rifle to do that!



When buying older guns, you have two choices as you mentioned. Several (maybe three) folks in the U.S. are known for taking older doubles and working magic by moving the wedge to get the rifle to point of aim with both barrels. This assumes that the individual barrels are accurate with the load chosen.



I bought a double several years ago that was made almost 100 years ago. It had been sent to a gunsmith who worked up a load and included both 50 and 100 yard targets. The ammo was semi-obsolete so the only practical way to get ammo is to reload your self or use great folks like Safari Arms or Superior Ammo. This rifle (a .375 Flanged 2.5") shoots about 4.5" at 100 yards.



My other double, a .475 N.E. 3.25" was a bugger to get to regulate by varying powders and loads.. but about 200 shots later, I have it shooting as well as I can hold. Interestingly, Mbogo and I put together the first loads and got the rifle to shoot 1.5" at 50 yards... we thought we were geniuses, but when chronographed, it was only lumbering along at 1750 fps. Finally, we/I got it to 2100 fps and minute of tennis ball accurate.



So.... If you're worried, buy new.. Second best is to buy a rifle with established load data... or finally, buy a rifle and join the mystic world of powder/load experiments... The final caveat is that there's not much you can do if the rifle doesn't shoot each barrel well individually.



Did I make any sense?

Don't necessarily let me scare you off of older rifles. They are a joy to have. As I said, there are some professional reloaders who can get older rifles shooting wonderfully... and the prices of Safari Arms and Superior ammo is unbelievably low, considering the price of the components. They even reload for ammo the Kynoch doesn't load for any more. I shoot so much of John LaSalla's (Safari Arms) stuff that he runs an account for me (and I believe Nickudu does some of the work???). And you can get bullet/powder combinations that ususally aren't loaded commercially (i.e., Barnes X in double calibers.. for those with tough enough rifles/Searcy).



Let me suggest something. If you are going to spend between $4000 for a slightly used Chapuis in 9.3x4 (if you get a deal) and $25,000 for an good H&H, it makes sense to me to shoot it before you buy it. You can get a round trip ticket to about anywhere in the U.S. for less than $400. If you're buying an older gun, go see it, shoot it, make sure the fit is correct and there ALREADY is a load that works... JMHO.



All this said, my next double will be a Searcy in .470 or a really quality older English double.. not reasoning there???

Plenty of sense, Judge... Sounds like unless I want to add a new hobby of reloading into my already overindulged schedule, I had better buy new!

It seems that most of today's modern manufactured Doubles are regulated properly right out of the box. I had a Merkel a while back and it shot 6 shots L-R into a big ragged hole at 50 yds. Merkel and Chapuis are affordable for about 8K or you could get a Searcy in the PH model for 9.5K. Ray Atkinson loves his PH model and says all his shots touch at 100 yds. Almost all your Doubles coming into this country are regulated by using Federal 470 NE ammo. As for a shooter regulating his rifle, it only applies when he reloads for it. You have to find that sweet spot. There are quite a few loads listed that shoot to POI after doing some tweaking.

Damn, would somebody reduce the size of that picture, so I can keep the text within 30 inches wide!

The Beretta is closer to 25K-30K. Have to say the case-hardening colors are vivid. Look through the Shotgun News or the Gunlist for used Doubles.

Their is a Berreta on the Lewis Drake web site that I have been drooling over for the last week. I love case coloring.